Bears Bailed Out After Massive Injury Blow To Shanes!
With only weeks to go until the Agilia Bears get their season on track, team manager Gavin Parr was handed the news that James Shanes season was over already, James said ‘Following my bad crash in Holland in July last year I suffered a nasty break to my right humerus. I had a pin put in and was expected to make a full recovery, however in September I started having complications which led to me seeking further advice from specialist surgeons in London. Unfortunately I was told I had an infection in my bone/metalwork and had a second operation to have it all removed and for a plate to be put in. Again 3 months down the line I was expected to make a full recovery and be back on a bike by March at the latest. I started prepping for the season signing for Redcar and numerous grasstrack meetings. Tragically last week all of this seasons hopes came crashing down when I had a review with my surgeons who informed me that I may have another infection and as a result have a very unstable fracture and weak bone. I have been put in a brace to immobilise my arm in the hope that helps and taking lots of antibiotics but have been told a third operation is highly likely.
So I still have a long way to go with my recovery and have had to call a halt to the season to let me body fully heal. I wish Redcar Bears all the best for the coming season and I’m sorry to not be a part of it, I hope to see all my friends and fans at a track soon.’
This is devastating for both James and the club. We felt James had really fit into the group and was as excited to be a part of this team as we were. We wish James all the best in his recovery and hope he will make the trip to the Ecco Arena to support the team throughout the season. With James’s team place to fill, the management took to the rider’s market to find a suitable replacement and get them installed with enough time to be ready for the season. So, it’s with great pleasure we can reveal the signing of the highly-rated youngster Connor Bailey.
Connor has spent the previous three seasons with Glasgow but surprisingly found himself not in their plans for 2023. The 20-year-old Australian comes in on a 4.32 average directly replacing James in the number 2 position in the team. He has also signed for Workington in the National League which will give him vital extra meetings around a track very similar to the Ecco Arena.
Co-promotor Swales said “We are gutted to have lost James and we really hope this isn’t the last we see of him. Connor is a great prospect and was hugely unlucky to find himself on the sidelines. He has improved his average every year so far and a change in home track is probably the best thing for him at this stage in his career. Hopefully, we can help him continue his improvement as he has already shown a liking for our track on previous visits”. With Danyon Hume also signing at Ipswich in the Premiership, we now have all 7 riders racing in two leagues which will be important in keeping the guys race sharp throughout the season.